Don’t panic - there are still a few days left to order CTC Gift Membership[12] for your loved ones - with a free CTC hat thrown in. Order by 17 December for delivery in time for Christmas. But buy online or phone on Monday as it's the CTC staff party today!

Julie Rand, CTC Information Team

Bar humbug!

If you’re feeling a little less-than-festive, CTC’s latest podcast[13] is sure to banish the Scrooge in you. The recording features: interviews with Mervyn Evans, the son of eponymous bike shop founder; and with Elizabeth Cumner, a CTC member whose family has been involved with CTC for several generations. We’ve also dug into the archives of the CTC ‘Gazette’ and found a seasonal cycling story narrated by CTC staff and volunteers. There is also a long-lost musical gem - ‘The Cycling Song’, sung by the CTC Male Voice Choir, and much else besides.

More top stories

Not banking on cycle hire sponsorship

In the week that Barclays formally announced they would not be renewing their sponsorship of London’s cycle hire scheme, a report[14] has revealed that it is the least-used and most expensive to operate of all the major European projects: whereas Barcelona’s Bicing bikes are used over 10 times a day each, London’s are used just three.

The hole truth

Thanks to your work, over 90,000 potholes have been reported to local authorities since CTC started Fill That Hole[15], our pothole reporting system. For a forthcoming re-launch, CTC Campaigns Coordinator Chris Peck[16] would like to hear about any successes you’ve had using the site. Perhaps it’s saved you money or you have been surprised by how quickly the road has been filled.

Designs on cycling

Following on from their successful Science Behind the Bike[17] series last year, the Open University has now released The Design Behind the Bike[18], a new collection of five videos exploring how the development in technology has changed bike design and build over the last 100 years. As well as the history of design, subjects covered include: aesthetics; wheels; materials; and frame design.

Skeleton staff?

Probably not featured in the series, however, is a mysterious dinosaur bike seen recently[19] in Bristol. The Bristol Post reported the sighting of the stegosaurus-shaped creation, which was seen traversing Queen Square on two wheels. Witness Mike Frost said the beast’s owners told him that, sadly, it was the dinosaur's last outing before it becomes extinct.

Life is Tweet

Surely the sighting of the dinosaur bike was reported by someone on Twitter as well? If not, then perhaps the onlookers hadn’t read the cyclists’ guide[20] to the microblogging website by CTC Councillor Chris Oliver[21], who tweets as @CyclingSurgeon. You can keep up-to-date with dinosaur sightings and more with CTC’s Twitter[22] and Facebook[23] pages too.

Party on

Trials riders and road cyclists are not ‘cycling tribes’ who normally have much in common. But the second instalment of Martyn Ashton’s Road Bike Party[24] shows just what incredible feats can be achieved on skinny tyres by incredibly skilful riders. Tragically, Martyn was paralysed from the waist down after a fall in the autumn but still managed to finish editing the film. We wish him well.

Can you communicate?

If you enjoy reading CycleClips every week and think you could help write it, then why not apply for CTC’s Senior Media and Communications Officer vacancy[25]? We are looking for a highly-motivated media relations expert to cover maternity leave. The closing date is Tuesday 31 December, with interviews in Guildford on Tuesday 7 January 2014.

Get in motion

Next year’s CTC AGM[26] will take place in Glasgow on Saturday 10 May. All CTC members are welcome to attend. Motions for the agenda should be proposed and seconded by two CTC members and Council strongly recommend contacting a CTC Councillor or Gordon Seabright first to discuss. Motions should be sent to CTC Chief Executive Gordon Seabright[27] by Friday 14 February 2014.

Julie Rand has edited CycleClips since 2011 and has been working at CTC in various guises since 2001.